Improvement in earth-augers



F. D. HUBBARD.

EARTH-AUGER:

Patented Dec. 26,1876.

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FRANKLIN D. HUBBARD, OF PERU, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN EARTH-AUGERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 185,638, dated December26, 1876 application filed May 17. 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANKLIN D. HUBBARD, of Peru, in the county of LaSalle, in the State of Illinois, have invented an Improvement inEarth-Angers; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description thereof, reference being had to the annexeddrawings, making a part of this specification, in which like letters ofreference refer to like parts, and in which Figure 1 represents aperspective view of the auger with one-half swung open; Fig. 2, avertical central section on line a a, Fig. 3; Fig. 3, a top view ofauger; Fig. 4, elevation and plan of center extension or advanced borer.

This invention has for its objects and component parts as follows: Thisinvention relates to a construction and combination of devices, as willbe hereinafter explained, and pointed out in the clauses of claim.

A A represent the two halves of the auger or tube, each terminatingbelow in a spiral head, a a, to which the bits K are respectivelyattached. These divisions A A are hinged at their adjoining uppercorners by means of the pivotal screws or bolts 9 g in the plates e e ofthe cross-arm D of the center rod 0, and at their meeting-edges attachedto the next plates 0 0 below, on the crossrod E, by means of the screws9 g, &c., and immediately above the bits said half-tubes are temporarilyattached together by means of hooks and staples k l k l. The shelf ofone of the bits is extended (in the same shape as said bit) upward forat least one circuit of the tube by means of the attached spiral shelfsd (1, one to each half-tube, secured to the interior of the tube bymeans of lugs or angle-irons n n. U is the center rod; D, its uppercross-arm or brace slotted in the middle to receive said rod, andterminating at each end in a plate, 0 e, to which adjoining edges of thetube are screwed, the uppermost screws serving as pivotal pins. Erepresents the lower cross T-head of the center rod, which is similarlyfurnished with plates e e, by which the middle part of the auger isfastened to the rod by means of the screws 9 g g g, part of which screwsand screw-holes only are used at one time, the others being held inreserve until the first have become useless from wear. G represents thelower adjustable extension of the center rod 0, consisting of a stem, G,adjustable by means of a crotched upper end, g, by means of screws,bolts. or pins to the center-rod, or the adjoining part of thecross-bar. The lower end of the stem ends in a double-armed cutter, 'v*0, each arm ending in a cutting-point sloping forward and downward,similar to the point of a plow. K K represent the removable bits, onebelonging to each division of the tube, made of steel and forming thespiral cutting-edge of the auger, which projects toward the center ofthe same, and also forming the edge or vertical cutting part 8 of eachdivision at the juncture of the latter. The points i i, or terminalpoints of the divisions, I make to extend in a tangent from the surfaceof the tube for a short distance, or enough to prepare a bore that willallow the tube to rotate freely. The bits are fastened to the spiral endof the respective divisions A A by means of countersunk screws, thevertical or outer cutting-edge s s of each being fastened in a similarmode to the respective vertical edges of said divisions, all for thepurpose of removal for sharpening, or renewal. L represents thetWo-leaved valve, circular in shape, pivoted together on a cross-rod, u,each end of which enters adjustably respective holes to win eachdivision of the auger, just above or near the upper end of the bits K. Imake the tube of boiler-iron of from one-eighth to one-fourth inchthickness, according to the caliber of the auger.

The operation oi'this invention is as follows: For ordinary soil, freefrom stratified rock or bowlders, the auger is used Without the advancedbit G, the spiral interior conveyers or shelves d d, and the valve L.For heavy soil, as hard-pan, &c., or coarse gravel, the advance-bit G isattached by means of its jaw g and pin or bolts, as, also, theconveyingshelves at d. When a bowlder is encountered one of thedivisions A is entirely removed, together with the extension-bit G, thusenabling the half-auger to pass the obstruction.

The advantages of this auger are various: First, in loosening andraising bowlders offrom seven to twelve inches in size, which fact isdependent entirely upon the vertical division of the tube, and the useof one-half alone in passing or extricating such stones, so preven tingthe abandonment of the work, ordinarily the case when such obstructionsare met with. Second, in the use of the removable bits K and thetangential points 'i '5. Third, in the use of the advanced bit G toprepare the way for the anger in hard soil and facilitating, itspenetrating power. Fourth, in the use of a double-leafed valve orhorizontal disk to bring sand or mud to the surface of the earth.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. The pods A A, provided withscrew-fastenings g g, and auxiliary hooks and staples k l, incombination with braces I) E and center rod 0, substantially as and forthe purposes described.

2. The earth-auger with divisions A A, at-

FRANKLIN D. HUBBARD.

Witnesses:

CHARLES BRUNNER, RICHARD O. EVANS.

